Gothic Blue

by Portia Da Costa

Two hundred years ago, a handsome young nobleman falls under the spell of a malevolent but irresistible sorceress. In the present day, stranded by a thunderstorm at a remote Gothic priory, Belinda and her boyfriend are drawn into an enclosed world of luxurious decadence and sexual alchemy. Their host is the courteous but melancholic André von Kastel, a beautiful aristocrat who mourns his lost love. He has plans for Belinda—plans that will take her into the realms of obsessive love and erotic who-knows-what.

Genres: Erotica, Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 9, 2000

About the author

I'm a Sunday Times, New York Times and USA Today bestselling British author of romance, erotic romance and romantic fiction. My novels have been published by a variety of different houses, both in the US and the UK, and translated into many languages including German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian and Japanese. I'm best known for my many novels for the pioneering British erotica publisher Black Lace and I writing books with contemporary, paranormal and occasionally futuristic settings. I'm now venturing into historical erotic romance too, with a new novel for Harlequin Spice set in London in the year 1890.

I also write as Dorothy Starr and Megan Paul

I've been writing for publication since 1990, and have had over twenty novels published and around 100 short stories. I've contributed to many different short story anthologies and women’s magazines. I've also written a number Spice Briefs for Harlequin.

I'm a member of Romance Writers of America, the Passionate Ink RWA Chapter, the Romantic Novelists Association [UK] and the Society of Authors [UK].

I live in the heart of West Yorkshire, UK, with my husband and my cats. When I'm not writing I enjoy reading, watching TV and movies, hanging out on Twitter and Facebook, and online life in general. I was formerly a librarian and have also worked in local government.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young couple, Belinda and her boyfriend Jonathan get stranded out in the middle of nowhere. They seek shelter at Count Andre von Kastel's priory. From the moment Belinda and Jonathan set foot inside they immediately feel an intense sexual urge that can not be denied. When Belinda meets Andre she and him have an instant connection to each other. Andre knows he must possess Belinda both body and soul. Belinda is closely reminiscent of Andre's long lost love. It's not long before Andre and Belinda make love to last a couple of lifetimes. Andre tells Belinda that he is over two hundred years old. He came to be this way when way back when he fell under the spell of a beautiful sorceress named Countess Isidora Katori. Belinda can't imagine any man hotter dead or alive then Andre. Andre wants Belinda to spend the rest of her live with him but not if Isidora has any say in the matter. She has come back and is ready to claim Andre again. Will Andre and Belinda be able to have a happy ending in bliss or will Isidora take what is rightfully her's.

Ok I have said it once but I will say it again. H-O-T!! If your going to fall for a man other then your boyfriend, he better be really good. Belinda sure made certain that was the case with Andre. Count Andre is one very talented and masterful man. He is an artist when it comes to a woman's body. Andre knows every line and curve of a woman and he makes sure not to miss a single detail. I started reading Gothic Blue late at night and if it wasn't for a small detail of going to bed and having to get up to go to work the next day, I would have stayed up all night long to finish reading this book. I just can't get enough of Portia Da Costa. Let me tell you I am so glad I discovered her. Portia's books are like diamonds where everything else around them turn to dust. So what are you waiting for? Go out and pick yourself up a copy of Gothic Blue along with the sequel Gothic Heat.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings on this one. It is not a genre that I would read, so I can't say that I enjoyed it thoroughly. BUT, I was addicted to it and couldn't put it down. The book had me gripped, and although I didn't enjoy the genre I had a need to know, which kept me reading.

[Fiona Hutton · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the worst erotic novel I have read. Mills and Boons are more enjoyable and I mean the older style read where they had to be careful what they wrote.

[Molly Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, not that bad. Rather enjoyed it surprisingly

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to keep reminding myself that this was an erotic book and to stop getting picky that the heroine had sex at damn near every opportunity, lol. I read it because it was sexy book about sex, but the sex sort of got it the way of an interesting plot. It's not my favorite Portia Da Costa book, but I still absolutely adore this author. My favorite character was definitely Belinda's boyfriend, Johnathon (I think that was his name).

[Traceys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book was not too many characthers, and they were well described, lots of sex of all sorts!! And a mystical side to story which made it intriguing - I did think the last 2 chapters could have been expanded with more detail/explanations. But on a whole I really enjoyed ths book and Andre sounded very inviting. Jonathan was a good characther that stayed light and amusing all through the book, and belinda was interesting too.

[Saskia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite erotic reads! Portia Da Costa is an enormously talented erotica writer and I could happily read her books over and again. Her characters are warm and accessible, her prose uplifting, and best of all the stories are wall to wall erotic tension. Steaming! And there's a sequel to this one, Gothic Heat.

[Rob · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, "Paranormal" Romance is obviously not for me. First couple chapters...not so bad, but further in I couldn't skim through fast enough. I always try and finish a book, but this one I just could not get through. This is the second of three books I ordered from this author as I wanted to try something new in the genre but think in the 31 flavors of Romance...I'll stick to plain old Vanilla

[Willow Brandis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gothic Blue is a fantastic erotic read. The story weaves through a haunting and atmospheric setting that feels dreamy and intensely erotic. Portia da Costa knows how to write sex the way I think it should be done. The sex scenes never feel tacked on as they often do in erotica. I read this book years ago and it has been a favorite on my shelf ever since.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly based on the reviews, much like sex is, different erotica works differently for everyone. This worked for me. The plot wasn't bad, the sex was mostly good. It worked for me and I'll keep it in my vacation smut collection. The 4 star rating is based on it's comparison to the genre, not that it is a great piece of literature that everyone should read.

[phaedra lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is largely well written and cohesive, without too much plot to get in the way of the heat. It deals with forbidden subjects sensitively and sensually, and as much as a magic erotica book can be realistic, it was. I am happy to re-read it.

[Dorrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull.as.dishwater.